O'Connor set for debut

The reduced squad of 22 players from which the Ireland team to play South Africa in the permanent tsb international in Lansdowne Road on November 13 is as follows:

Wasps flanker Johnny O’Connor has taken a massive step towards his Ireland debut by surviving the cull to remain in Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad to face South Africa.

Ireland take on the Springboks on November 13 and after an eye-catching start to the Zurich Premiership season, calls for O’Connor to be given his first cap have grown louder.

And O’Sullivan’s reduced squad of 22 has been announced with O’Connor still very much in the frame.

Gordon D’Arcy (groin), Victor Costello (rib) and Roger Wilson (ankle) all miss out due to injury.

Forwards (12): Shane Byrne (Blackrock College/Leinster), Reggie Corrigan (Greystones/Leinster), Simon Easterby (Lianeli), Anthony Foley (Shannon/Munster), John Hayes (Shannon/Munster), Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster), Eric Miller (Terenure College/Leinster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Johnny O’Connor (Wasps), Malcolm O’Kelly (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Frankie Sheahan (Cork Constitution/Munster).

Backs (10): Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster), Guy Easterby (Blackrock College/Leinster), Denis Hickie (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Shane Horgan (Lansdowne/Leinster), David Humphreys (Dungannon/Ulster) Kevin Maggs (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O’Driscoll (Blackrock College/Leinster), Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster).

Not considered due to injury: Victor Costello (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) {Rib} Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) {Groin}, Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) {Ankle}.

Players from the preliminary autumn international squad omitted from the above have been released to return to their provinces for Celtic League duties and are available for selection.

The team to play South Africa will be announced on Tuesday, November 9, at the Banqueting – Leisure Centre, City West Hotel at 12.45pm approx., following a training session at Terenure RFC.